Career opportunities in medical laboratory

Do you know what the possible career opportunities in medical laboratory are after obtaining a master’s degree in clinical analysis? In this article, we’ll go through some of the most interesting professional opportunities for these graduates. Shall we get started?

What are the career opportunities in a medical laboratory after obtaining a master’s degree in clinical analysis?

After completing a master’s degree in clinical analysis, the most direct professional opportunities are oriented towards working as an analyst in a clinical laboratory, although this is not the only option.

As such, you would be in charge of tasks such as the collection, preparation and, especially, the analysis of human biological samples with the aim of helping in the processes of diagnosis, study, prevention, monitoring, treatment and research of all types of diseases.

In the following sections, we will see in more detail the job opportunities and specific specializations that you could perform as a graduate of a master’s degree in clinical analysis.

Master in clinical analysis and career opportunities: work in laboratories

As we’ve mentioned above, after completing a master’s degree in clinical analysis, the most obvious opportunities involve working in a clinical laboratory. However, this generic professional description can be much more specific.

In this sense, as an analyst, you could work in many different types of laboratories depending on their specific field or specialization. Thus, among others, it’s possible to mention the following types of laboratories that are currently available:

• Diagnostic laboratories located in public or private clinics and hospitals.
• Laboratories located in universities and other higher education centers.
• Research laboratories linked to the pharmaceutical industry.
• Laboratories specialized in assisted reproduction.
• Laboratories specialized in clinical trials.
• Forensic clinical laboratories.
• Toxicology laboratories.

Specializations within laboratory analysis

As part of laboratory tasks and job opportunities, analysts can develop very diverse functions. Sometimes, the type of tasks will be directly linked to the type of laboratory in which he or she works. In other cases, it’s possible to find laboratories that cover a wide variety of specialties.

An example of the first case would be a genetics laboratory. Regarding the latter case, a typical example could be a diagnostic laboratory within a clinic, where all kinds of analysis are performed.

In this sense, a good master’s degree in clinical analysis allows you to acquire the necessary skills to carry out specialized work in areas such as the following:

• Hematology: it involves all work related to the analysis of blood and associated tissues. Without a doubt, it is one of the most frequent professional opportunities for clinical analysts, since there is an abundant demand for this professional profile in the labor market.
• Cytology: in relation to obtaining and analyzing gynecological samples and the like.
• Genetics: without a doubt, this is one of the most promising career opportunities in a medical laboratory for graduates of a master’s degree in clinical analysis. Thus, it represents a booming sector, in which constant technical innovations are produced and whose practical applications do not stop growing.
• Biochemistry: yet one more specialty that is most directly connected to work in a clinical environment. Included here, among others, are analysis related to cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, uric acid, bilirubin, transaminases, etc.
• Microbiology: analysis related to bacteria, parasites, allergies, toxins, immunology, etc.

Clinical analysis master’s degree: alternative professional opportunities

Although the laboratory environment is the most important deciding factor when considering career opportunities in a medical laboratory, it is not the only option. As such, professional analysts can also develop their professional career in jobs related to marketing, sales, business management, team management, etc.

Of course, these roles will take place in environments related to the clinical or pharmaceutical sector, to name the most important. In these cases, in addition to the degree in analysis, it is also advisable to have some additional training in sales, marketing, human resources or management.

Undoubtedly, the combination of both types of skills will give you a great advantage to access this type of position. Think, for example, of tasks such as coordinating a sales team in the pharmaceutical field, participating in the design of a new drug launch plan, etc.

Is working in a medical laboratory a well-paid profession?

As with any other field, the clinical analyst salary may vary considerably depending on the case. Here, issues such as your previous professional experience, the sector of activity in question, the specific responsibilities ascribed to the position and, of course, your personal value, come into play.

In any case, on average, salaries in the sector are around €20,000 per year. However, this amount can be much higher when greater responsibilities or experience are added, when highly specialized work is carried out or if team management tasks are assumed.

What master’s degree should I study to maximize professional opportunities?

Undoubtedly, the quality of the master’s degree in clinical analysis can have a very significant impact on your future professional opportunities.

As such, if you want to maximize your job options when you finish your studies, keep the following in mind:

• Choose a center that has experience in teaching this type of academic degree.
• It is recommended that the training is endorsed by a university or study center that is authorized to provide it.
• Check if the Master’s study plan meets your expectations, responds to the demands of the labor market and offers up-to-date content.
• Make sure teachers present a good academic resume, as well as some professional experience in the sector.
• The learning system needs to be adapted to your personal circumstances and be as efficient as possible. In this sense, online or mixed training usually gives excellent results (especially at the Master’s and postgraduate level).
• The right study center will offer you the possibility of doing professional internships in institutions or companies that allow you to gain your first work experience.

Train at CEMP

In short, if you choose a good master’s degree in clinical analysis, there will be multiple career opportunities in a medical laboratory awaiting you. Without a doubt, this is a really important decision, which can have a decisive impact on your future professional career. Don’t you think?

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